Forest Fire

Almost 3,000 acres of pine forest have been gutted down in a span of five days from a raging fire that began on December 27, 2010. The fire starting from Parikha village in Haa District (northern Bhutan) not only caused harm to the nearby forests but also injured a herd of about 10 yaks. Finally, the fire was put down on 31st December with help from about 400 people- police, army, district officials and volunteers.

When asked about the reasons restricting them to contain the fire on time; forest officials blamed lack of proper equipment to combat forest fires and inadequate human capacity. Further, fierce winter winds also added to their disadvantage.

Few days earlier, on 21st December, 2010 afternoon, a forest fire broke out below Sangaygang, Thimphu damaging about five acres of blue pine forest.